The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-15
A POPULAR PRESIDENT.
THE ENTHUSIASM WHICH HIS TOUR
HAS EVOKED.
The Greatness of 1.-THE People APP
precIaiing Nanliness- Preserving the
Traditions of Presidential Dignity
Mrs. Cleveland.
From the 81. louis RenublIcan.

From the 81 LOUIS hcpuDncMn'
A gentleman Of 81. Louis, who has had
large experience in such matters, and
whose profession makes him III intelligent
and impartial Judge OF them, said ut the
conclusion Of the presidential visit: 81
have seen no such popular enthusiasm for
any public man since Douglas days in IL
linois. II is spontaneous, sincere, and by
no means confined altogether 10 the ranks
Of the Democracy" That this statement
Of the case is essentially correct will not be
doubted by any one who has given the
subject even careless consideration; and IL
may bc interesting, possibly instructive, to
.Sip the reasons for the indisputablc
act.
President Cleveland has little or none Of
that personal magnetism which liz usually
the basis Of personal popularity; that mag
netism which was 40 prc-emincnt in Clay
and Douglas, and TO a less degree In other
political leaders Of earlier and later date.
Yet that he has something hardly inferior
10 the magnetic quality, something which,
In spite of unfricndly, II not hostile, influ-
ence, has grlspcd and firmly holds the
popular heart is self evident. What is III
In a single much abused word-manli-
ness. Cleveland, whatever else he may on
may not be, In a thoroughly manly man;
and ~ imprcsses not only everyone with
whom he is thrown in contact, but all
those who have carefully watched his pub
lie life. The bittercst partisanship has not
ycnturcd TO question his honesty, his
honor, his courage, his independence. In
his successful political career he
has not always been right, but
has never been ashamed or afraid
10 confess that he was wrong. II, M the
saying IL, he puts his foot in IT," he does
not sink deeper In the mire by attempting
apolcgctic explanation, hut simply pulls
the foot out nv promptly as possible, shak, q
from Il what mud lac can, and pushes for.
ward-trying 20 avoid similar accidents in
the future. This marked feature Of his
character has made him more friends than
his mistakes have made him enemies. A
prominent Republican Of our city, who
swallowed the Blaine nomination In 1881
with many grimaccs, said at the opening
Of the campaign "Why, look nj the diff
ference between The two candidates. There
Ii Cleveland, when q scandalOus story Is
published on him, tclcgraphing Ia one who
knew all the facts and had asked for in
structions, Tell the truth Blaine Eays,
Burn this letter The people can and
do forgive many sins Of commission In
their public men, II these sins arr ncknowl-
edged In the manly and straightforward
fashion. But the sinner who IL n moral
coward ~ well, they never do forgive
and ought not to-"
hut this IL not the full secret Of the hold
which Cleveland has obtained upon the
hearts Of his countrymcn. II his public
career has not been fnultlcss and what
career ever was-it has been stainless.
Seeing and knowing the right, he has
a.. -AN.l. H.. H.. -. n
eefecd oi mr powers III penetration and
discrimination, he has, m he said In ON,
Of bis brief speeches in ~. Louis, don,
the bsi he could with the light givcI
him." Therefore, II IN that IN sheriff
mayor, Governor and President, he has ~
absolutely clean and clear personal record
On a lew occasions, his political friends, I
say nothing OF his oproncntS, have ill
femd sharply with him In rglnl 10 som
Of his official acts; hut they have neyc
ss<ailed his honesty ar his honor -ncye
doubted that he was doing. OF trying 3
do, what he sincerely believed Ia be- right
II N 10 be remarked, too, uat In n maioi
Nv Of such cnsc- his Judgment WIS Wind
s.fcd BY time. az coursc. thcrc are tlor
Who, Tor their own selfish purposes, wantc
him 10 do wrong, md hate him because u
would not. To all such the memorial
~ords az ten Hrsa, In the national Den,
ocmiic convention Of 1891 is am abundan
snswcr; we love him for the cnemic
be has made"
Thcsc characteristics have been sirongl,
sct inrth In his presidential administration
With the legitimate consequence Of making
him lar mon popular now than he WINS q
the beginning 81 IL. The American pco
pie, u should never be- forgotten, are III,
yast majority 81 them nj least American
hrt, and Democrats or Republicans after
war. They arr Jealous II the naiiona
honor Of the good name Of ihosc p%olitica
institutions which have made the nation
the envy and the admiration of the world
Whatever tends 10 darkcn that name, 4
lower thcsc institutions In the eyes al tn
world, they resent as a personal grievance
and u will be n sad day for the countr,
when such an offcnsc does not produc
such nscntmont. There was not an Amer
lean al homc or abroad worthy 10 bear tina
title who did not blush for the sandal
In which the administration Of lS6g-T
seemed TO live aud move an,
have H. being. The diStinguishc,
military services u the occupant Of tn
swaat0tx. Ill. ....ll - s..s. H.. 4